Vietnam Family Tours Of Real-life Experiences

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
Get pick up at the airport upon arrival and transfer to the downtown of Hanoi for hotel check-in.
If time permits, this afternoon you will have an orientation walking tour of Hanoi Old Quarter to sightsee local street life & adapting to the local atmosphere.

Welcome dinner in local restaurant.

Evening is free for your family to rest and relax.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, s tart your day with a visit to the Memorial Complex dedicated to the Father of modern Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh, including the Mausoleum (view from outside), Presidential palace, the Uncle Ho’s house on stilts and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda that is a little iconic symbol of Hanoi thousand years history.
Following, visit home of a local artist where your children will enjoy time learning and practicing traditional craft of making paper masks from how to use paper and glue, shaping, using brushes to paint and make colorful masks.  
Continue to a wooden stamp carving workshop where you will try to learn about this interesting craft and get for you your own beautiful private stamp with your name on it. 
Back to the hotel for noon break.

In the mid-afternoon, we jump on back of vintage motorbikes to explore the real Hanoi with the parts-unknown of the city through the maze of backstreets, tiny alley, visiting local homes, schools, local markets, experiencing where & how locals live, work and play.
Along this fun ride, you will pass by & stop at some must-see places of the city such as the 1000 year-old temple of Tran Quoc, the Temple of Literature, the enchanting French Quarter, the bustling Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Opera House & famous Long Bien Bridge etc.
This tour is also a food tasting adventure that will give you the chance to stop at different authentic local restaurants, eateries and food stalls to savor some of the tastiest local dishes of Hanoi delicacies and specialties.
Free evening for exploring the Hanoi at your own pace.

Note: If you do not like taking motorbike riding, a combining of vehicle drive and walking tour can be taken instead.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, check out and leave Hanoi for a 2 hour drive to Ninh Binh province, the land that is famous with spectacular karst landscapes and rustic countryside.
Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital dating back 10th century and surrounded by a nature wall or high limestone mountains, visiting temples dedicated to National heroes and Kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties. From here you will take a bicycle ride along little country path passing fascinating rice paddies and villages for exploring the rural life.

In the afternoon, take little rowing boat for a leisure ride along peaceful stream amongst jutting mountains and undulating water rice paddies, getting through three natural caves of Tam Coc. The scenery along the gentle row is stunning and it is deserved to be the highlight activities of the day.
Later, pay a visit to the Ngu Nhac Mountain with Bich Dong Pagoda that consist of three temples built on cliff and in cave of the mountains. 

Drive back Hanoi and enjoy some free time before taking a short transfer to the train station for our overnight train ride to Lao Cai, gateway to Sapa town.
Overnight on board the train in AC soft sleeper cabin

Summary of inclusions

Arrival in Lao Cai in early morning. Met at the station and take an hour transfer uphill to Sapa.

Lies on the slope of Hoang Lien Mountain range at the elevation of about 1500m above sea level, right at the foot of the Fansipan peak which is the highest peak in Indochina, Sapa is endowed with moderate climate, stunning landscapes of mountains, forests and sloping terraces dotted by rustic villages of different hill tribe groups who remain strong unique living style, traditions and appearance.
Found as an ideal summer retreat by French from early 20th century, Sapa now remains a great interesting travel destination for people far and wide and is one of must-see places in Vietnam.

After breakfast, we will get transferred to the trekking point for an easy trek through the fascinating landscapes of the Muong Hoa River valley along towering mountains, terraced fields, bamboo forest and rustic hill tribe villages of Black Hmong, Dzao and Dzay people.
 
On the way you will have chance to observe locals working on their land and perhaps joining with locals at their farm work, visiting local houses to learn about their life style and traditions, getting for you some best photos of landscapes and daily life scenes.
Also, you will spend time to visit local schools, chatting with local teachers and children and help your young guys to learn more about living and studying conditions of local children as well as culture diversity here. 
Depending on your fitness level, you can choose to take easy trek along the main stream or get onto more challenging one along rolling hills through hidden villages.
Check in homestay around mid-afternoon and remainder of the day is to wander around for sightseeing, local interaction.

Home dinner is served with local tastes and overnight at local home stay on stilts.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, say goodbye to the host and get pick up by private vehicle for a drive downhill then uphill toward Bac Ha district for our visit to one of fascinating and colorful hill tribe markets of the area.
Here you’ll see local people from different mountains gather to exchange their products, showing up their best costume and find their partners in the event that organized once a week in certain parts of the highland.
Apart from shops with plenty of beautiful local handicrafts, herbs, exotic foods, there’s also a livestock market where the locals trade horses, cattle, pigs, dogs and so on. 
Wander through, enjoy the atmosphere, try some local specialties and get for you some best photos.

Drive back down to Lao Cai then along the highway back to Hanoi.  
Check in hotel in the evening and it is time to relax.

Summary of inclusions

Get a transfer on the highway through the land of fertile Red River Delta to Hon Gai pier where you board the boat for cruise on spectacular Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long Bay. 

Said to be one of the most beautiful nature wonders in the World, Halong Bay consists of thousands of limestone islands soaring up from the emerald water of the bay. The different shape of islands here is the result of the work of wind and water through millions of year. With dotted pristine beaches, floating villages, amazing natural caves and fascinating scenes, Halong and its surroundings is the must-see for travelers to Vietnam.

Check in on board upon arrival at noon time.
Have lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of the bay amongst thousands of dramatic lime stone islands.
In the afternoon you will enjoy kayaking through the karsts and breathtaking nature or swimming on one of the beaches
Enjoy sunset party while your cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage.
Dinner and overnight on board amongst islands and under star live sky.

Note: the cruise itinerary can be different depending on tide condition, boat and route assigned.

Summary of inclusions

Wake up early in the morning to catch the sunrise over the Bay’s spectacular landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. 
After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour around to visit to a floating village.
Later, you will cruise to visit another part of the Halong Bay.
Lunch is served on your way cruising back to the harbor.

Disembark the boat at early noon (11.00 – 11.30 depending on boat and tide). Drive back to Hanoi and get a private transfer to the airport for afternoon flight to Hue, the former Royal capital of Vietnam.
Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel to check in.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel.
Today you will have an exciting day with bicycle to explore beautiful Hue city. (We have tandem bike for parents to ride with children. You can take car drive or motorbike ride instead – up to your choice) 
First, ride your way out of the town center to visit to the traditional bronze casting village where you see locals make beautiful stuffs with traditional tools and methods.
From here you ride across the Da Vien Bridege to the southern bank of the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu, the oldest pagoda in Hue and is iconic symbol of the city.
Continue your ride along the paved road that surround the ancient citadel and get thru an ancient gate to get into the Old Quarter then taking a walking tour to explore the Hue Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, reflecting the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

The remainder of the afternoon you will enjoy a vegetable and fruit carving class to learn something about art of food decoration in Hue.
You instructor help you to get familiar with tools, choose the right materials and instruct you how to make from simple objects to something more elaborate depending how skillful you are.
The course is kind of fund activity for children and also to help you to learn something interesting about Vietnamese cooking and to see how Vietnamese royalty feasted their eyes on the food that was served.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, check out hotel and enjoy your exciting day tour to discover Hue royal monuments, countryside and fascinating nature by motorbike (you can choose to take car/bus drive instead).

Ride your way along little paths through charming villages where traces of time seems to remain intact. Visit a local market which located in beautiful and very poetic country scenery, the centuries-old covered bridge of Thanh Toan and a farming exhibition house then continue your ride through hidden alleys, off the beaten track, visiting traditional handicraft village of conical hat, paper and incense making.
Continue with a visit to one of Emperor Mausoleums, special royal architecture, part of the World heritage, built for eternal resting of Emperor and in line with the Royal City. 
Enjoy a vegetarian lunch in a pagoda prepare by Buddhist nuns and get pick up by van then drive toward Da Nang with stop at Lang Co Beach where of white sand and blue water for a swim if you wish then drive up to the top of Hai Van Pass for a spectacular view of the land, mountains and sea.
Check in hotel in Hoi An late afternoon and evening is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, meet up with your guide and start your exciting tour of Hoi An countryside by bicycle. (We have tandem bicycle for parent to ride with children).
First, you will spend time to visit an orphanage center in Hoi An that is home to hundreds of orphanages, disable and disadvantaged children. There your children will have chance to interact with local children, playing with them, learning something about the project. 
Following, visit a lantern making workshop where children will learn how to make lanterns from bamboo, papers and silk.
From here you will ride your way along the little paths through peaceful villages where you will see buffalos, local working with traditional tools and friendly children waving at you along the way.
Visiting Tra Que organic vegetable village, meeting local farmers and joining into farming activities to learn and to practice the traditional farming ways in preparing the land like hoeing soil, making beds, fertilizing the land with seaweed which is exploited from the nearby river, transplanting and watering vegetable…
After farming experience, visit a farmer’s house and enjoy welcome drink before taking part in preparing and cooking some of the famous local dishes with the instruction of the local chef.
It is then time to enjoy lunch of your own creation and check how wonderful cook you are.

After lunch and a break, you continue to make your way along undulating rice paddies, shrimp farm, duck farms, getting into hidden country paths to the water coconut forest where you will take bamboo basket boats ride along small channels deep into the forest of coconut.
During this activity you will be taught to control round boat, fishing, catching the river snails (and/or crabs), observe local fisherman fishing in the water and experience amazing performance with basket boat dancing and so on…

Back to the hotel in the mid afternoon and remainder of the day is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, get picked up at hotel and transfer to Bana Hills Station.  You will have a chance to ride on the World’s longest cable cars to get a bird’s-eye view, enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind.
Upon arrival, take 15 minute walk to the Giant Hand Golden Bridge - a special architecture stands 1,400m above sea level above the Ba Na hills between a sea of clouds, offering majestic panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Then you'll visit the Flower Garden, Hiking Train, Debay wine cellar, and Linh Ung Pagoda…
After that, take the second cable car to the top (which is another 10 minutes).
Later, visit the top of Nui Chua National Park and discover Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple, Linh Phong Tu Tower, Belfry, Beer House, Tru Vu Teahouse and Linh Phong Thien Tu and the Fantasy Park – the largest indoor amusement park in Vietnam.
15.00 PM: Return to cable car station and drive back to Hoi An.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel.
Today you have a free day to relax, enjoying swimming on the beach nearby or taking a walk around Hoi An and exploring the lovely ancient town at your own pace. (hotel check out time is 12.00)

This afternoon we will take a transfer to the airport for short flight to Da Lat, the Alps of Vietnam, the city of love and flower.
Airport pick up and check in hotel upon arrival.
Overnight in hotel in Da Lat.  

Summary of inclusions

Today you will have a day tour sightseeing Da Lat featured sights including the Crazy House, as its name implies, a special and rebelling idea of architecture that may come from fairy tales; the Domain de Marie monastery - a French built convent with remarkable architectural style and garden; the Dream Hill embellished by Dragon Lake; Da Lat flower park which is a great place for flower lovers; the Old Da Lat train station; the King Summer Palace used by the last King of Vietnam; the Robin Hill where you can have the full view of Da Lat and take a great cable car ride to Truc Lam Zen pagoda and Tuyen Lam Lake; the Central market of Da Lat with full of fresh local produces.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, jump up on motorbike for your interesting sightseeing day of Da Lat surrounding country.
Get out of the city centre to the suburban area to enjoy the greenery and rural life. Here you will take a visit a vegetable village and then a flower growing village to join with local at their farming works, learning about local working methods. Continue to visit a coffee plantation to learn about famous product of Da Lat in particular and Centre Highland in general. Also, you will have a chance to visit a weasel coffee farm and workshop where farmers feed weasel with best coffee fruits to get the best ‘weasel coffee’, cricket farm, local workshop of local rice wine distillery and the silk manufacturing workshop.
Along the way you will also have chance to stop and visit local hill tribe village of Cil and Lat people, two of different Montagnard group in the Central Higland area.

In the afternoon you will ride to Elephant Waterfall that is described as one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the Central Highlands then the Linh An pagoda which is famous for a huge statue of Quan Yin, 54m high, looking down the area from a hill.
Get back to your hotel in the late afternoon and evening is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel then take a private transfer along the spectacular landscapes of mountains, hills, sinuous passes to Mui Ne with stops along the way for visiting local village, photos and local interaction.

Located about 160km from Da Lat, 200km north of Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne beach is known for its beautiful beach, nice weather and beautiful sand dunes.
Sand dunes in Mui Ne include both red and white sand, and you are given the possibility to hop on a plastic sled and slide through the dunes. You can also rent a buggy and drive through the area, or go kite surfing or simply relax on beach.

Check in hotel upon arrival and remainder of the day is to enjoy your time at leisure for sun, sea and sand of Mui Ne.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel.
This morning you are free to relax, enjoy sun, sea and sand on the beach.
This afternoon we will take a tour to explore famous sand dunes of Mui Ne, the Fairy Stream, Lotus Lake and fishing village.
It is the chance for you to mingle yourselves into the nature, playing with water, sliding down on sand slope and watch spectacular sunset over beautiful backdrop of the dunes

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Enjoy your day free for sun, sea and sand of Mui Ne.
Optional hot air balloon ride over the landscapes of Mui Ne is available at your disposal.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel then get a private transfer to Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City.

This afternoon you take a cyclo tour riding around to some main highlights of the city including War Remnants Museum (or History Museum), Reunification Palace - formerly known as the Independence Palace which was the Presidential Palace of the South Vietnam before North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30 1975, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office and Dong Khoi Street - formerly Rue Catinat – that made famous by Graham Greene in his best-selling book The quiet American.
End your day with a visit to the Ben Thanh Market - the central market with plenty of local products for fun shopping and sightseeing.
Evening is at your leisure and it is good to visit the Saigon Landmark 81 for dinner and great bird eye view over the city from high floor.   

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave Saigon for a 2 hour drive through scenic country land to the Mekong Delta which is home to evergreen scenery of rice paddies, tropical orchards and mangrove along stunning water ways.
On arrival, board a wooden boat for your leisure cruise on little river, exploring lively activities along river such as fishing, water transferring etc.
You also make some stop to visit some local cottage industries such as traditional pottery making and printing, coconut candy processing, hand sleep mat making and so on.
Spend your time wandering around tropical orchard, taste tropical fruit freshly pick from garden and listen to traditional music.  
Later, take an exciting ride on motor cart (or bicycle) along shady paths, pass by coconut forest, green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about this fascinating tropical land.
End the tour with sampan rowing along meandering canal then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel.
Room available until 12.00.
Free time at leisure until getting transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.

Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions